been ascertained. It is believed that the latter is the wiser policy, and that it would be difficult to sell lands valuable only or chiefly because of the chance that there may be within them mineral deposits at the price fixed in the act of 1889. Accordingly the States should have, as they desire to have, the right to lease such lands under some system in character like that finding expression in the act of Congress approved February 25, 1920 (41 Stat. 437), known as the general leasing law. This is the primary purpose of the bill, but it also authorizes the sale of lands valuable only as grazing lands for not less than $5 per acre, now regarded as an adequate price for such lands of that character not yet disposed of, at least as being sufficiently high as a minimum price. O SENATE 72D CONGRESS 1st Session } { REPORT No. 141 PROHIBITING MISREPRESENTATION AS TO SEATING ACCOMMODATIONS BY THEATERS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JANUARY 25, 1932.-Ordered to be printed Mr. CAREY, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 28941 The Committee on the District of Columbia, to whom was referred the bill (S. 2894) prohibiting the sale in the District of Columbia of theater tickets in excess of the number of seats available, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon, and recommends that the bill do pass, with the following amendments: In line 5, after the word "made", strike out the comma and insert the word "knowingly". In line 7, after the word "theater", strike out the remainder of the language in the section, and insert the following: and when all seats are occupied the manager or operator shall display or cause to be displayed on each booth or window where tickets are sold, a sign visible from public space, or the entrance, or lobby, stating in letters not less than two inches high with a stroke width of not less than one-half inch, that no seats are available, and if there be more than one floor, then separate signs shall be used on such booths or windows indicating the floor on which seats are not available. In theaters in which the seating capacity is one thousand or more, a public announcement shall be made in the entrance or lobby thereof, of the availability of seats, at least once each five minutes during the time that all seats are occupied. Amend the title so as to read: A bill prohibiting misrepresentation as to seating accommodations by theaters in the District of Columbia. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The object of this bill is clearly stated in the amended title. Numerous complaints have been made regarding alleged misrepresentation as to seating accommodations by employees of motionpicture theaters in the District of Columbia. In order to develop the fullest possible information as to this practice the subcommittee in charge of the bill held a public hearing, at which representatives of the theaters were given an opportunity to discuss theater practices and policies. Accredited representatives of the exhibitors unhesitatingly condemned the practice of misinforming the public at the box offices as to the number and location of available seats. The subcommittee recognized the fact that motion-picture theaters have a continuous performance policy, so that patrons may leave the theater at any time. This policy makes for a constant change in seating accommodations, and many theater patrons prefer to stand in the theater or the lobby, with the hope of thus getting a desirable seat. The committee does not quarrel with this procedure, but believes that theater owners or operators should not deceive the public regarding the seating facilities for the purpose of packing as many persons as possible into the lobbies and lounges. AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL The corporation counsel of the District of Columbia, Mr. Bride, sat with the subcommittee at its hearing, and, at the subcommittee's request, drafted amendments intended to prescribe a course of procedure by theaters in informing the public of seating accommodations, or the lack thereof. The bill was discussed by the committee, which voted to report favorably the measure as amended. The committee believes that the bill will work no undue hardship on theater operators, some of whom already are taking the steps suggested in the amendment for the purpose of correctly informing the public. SENATE 72D CONGRESS 1st Session } { REPORT No. 142 TAX EXEMPTION OF PROPERTY OF DAUGHTERS OF 1812 IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JANUARY 26, 1932.-Ordered to be printed Mr. CAPPER, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 1203] The Committee on the District of Columbia, to whom was referred the bill (S. 1203) to exempt from taxation certain property of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 in the District of Columbia, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon, with the recommendation that the bill do pass. The purpose of this bill is to extend to the Daughters of 1812 the same tax exemption for their property at 1461 Rhode Island Avenue NW., which previous enactments have accorded to the property of the Corcoran Art Gallery, the Louise Home, the Young Woman's Christian Home, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Edes Home, the National Education Association, and other organizations of a noncommercial nature in the District of Columbia. The property of the Daughters of 1812 is used by that organization as a meeting place and museum. Neither directly nor indirectly does the organization benefit financially from this establishment. On the contrary, there is a constant and considerable expense for maintenance of the Daughters' patriotic and educational work. The committee knows of no reason why the organization should not receive the same treatment as the other institutions herein mentioned. O JANUARY 26 (calendar day, January 27), 1932.-Ordered to be printed Mr. VANDENBERG, from the Committee on Commerce, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 2985] The Committee on Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (S. 2985) granting the consent of Congress to the Connecticut River State Bridge Commission, a statutory commission of the State of Connecticut created and existing under the provisions of Special Act No. 496, of the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, 1931 session, to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge across the Connecticut River, having considered the same, report favorably thereon and recommend that the bill do pass without amendment. The bill has the approval of the Departments of War and Agriculture, as will appear by the annexed communications. Hon. HIRAM W. JOHNSON, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Chairman Committee on Commerce, United States Senate. DEAR SENATOR: Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of January 19, transmitting a copy of a bill, S. 2985, with request that the committee be furnished with such suggestions touching its merits and the propriety of its passage as the department might deem appropriate. This bill would authorize the Connecticut River State Bridge Commission, of the State of Connecticut, to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge and approaches thereto across the Connecticut River between Hartford and East Hartford, Conn. The location indicated for the proposed bridge is on the system of Federal-aid highways approved for Connecticut. Favorable action on the bill is recommended. Sincerely yours, R. W. DUNLAP, Acting Secretary. WAR DEPARTMENT, January 22, 1932. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Commerce, United States Senate. So far as the interests committed to this department are concerned, I know of no objection to the favorable consideration of the accompanying bill (S. 2985, 72d Cong., 1st sess.) granting the consent of Congress to the Connecticut River State Bridge Commission to construct a bridge across the Connecticut River. F. H. PAYNE, Acting Secretary of War. |